Beckham County, OK - Deaths: Walter R. Bumpus, 1922
26 Oct 2007
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell) 

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BUMPUS, WALTER R.
(23 Feb 1922, Sayre Headlight, Sayre, Beckham Co, OK):
The Cheyenne Star has the following regarding the latest Roger Mills
county murder:
"Last Monday afternoon about 6 o'clock Drs. Wallace and Cross, of this
city, were called to the home of Walter Bumpus, who lived four miles
northeast of Roll, and about seventeen miles northwest of this city.  The
call stated that Bumpus was in a dangerous condition, having been kicked
on the head by a horse.  Upon examination of the wounds on his head, the
doctors inquired as to how many times the horse kicked him?  Verden Sloan,
who was with Bumpus at the time he was injured, stated that he was kicked
only once.
An inquest was demanded, after Bumpus died, at about midnight.
"Justice of the Peace Leach, County Attorney Peterson and Sheriff Brown
were summoned to hold the inquest.  Upon their arrival a jury of citizens
was summoned and the investigation revealed the fact, according to the
verdict of the coroner's jury, that Bumpus came to his death from wounds
inflicted with a club in the hands of Verden Sloan.
"It appears that Bumpus and Sloan went out into the field to haul in a
load of cane hay and when about a quarter of a mile from the house on
their return, Sloan removed the bois-dare (sic) stick which was employed
as a break (sic) lever on the wagon and struck Bumpus over the head
crushing his skull.  There were five distinct blows on the head any one of
which, according to the doctors, would have produced death.  Sloan was
placed under arrest and brought to town..
"The circumstances are of such a nature that warranted the officers to
also place Mrs. Bumpus, the wife of the dead man, under arrest.  She is
being held as an accomplice.
"Sloan has made his home with Mrs. Bumpus since before the death of her
first husband, McIntyre, in 1918, with the exception of a short time when
he left this country.  It was during his absence last September that Daisy
McIntyre was married to Walter Bumpus.  Shortly after this marriage Sloan
returned and continued to make his home with Mr. and Mrs. Bumpus.
"Mrs. Bumpus, formerly Daisy McIntyre, was a candidate for county clerk on
the Socialist ticket in 1918.  She is 38 years of age.  Walter Bumpus was
28 and Verden Sloan 22.
"District court will convene in this city on Monday, March 6th, at which
time the two defendants will be arraigned on a charge of murder.